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Stars Come out for the Palais

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Stars Come out for the Palais ON STAGE The Summer 2008 newsletter of Vol.9 No.1 Stars come out for the Palais atchdog group for the St Kilda their plan was announced. around one million dollars has already triangle development, unChain UnChain St Kilda is a diverse group been pledged. WSt Kilda, has come to the aid of campaigning for an urgent rethink of the Each donor has already picked out their the Palais Theatre, and is recruiting stage, overall development of what is known as favourite seat and if each seat was sold in screen and rock stars into the action. the St Kilda triangle. this way the result would be $13.5 million Actor Rachel Griffiths, a St Kilda native Already the group Human Nature, with which to refurbish the heritage theatre. now resident in Los Angeles, and her performers Bruce Springsteen, Shannon Noll, By doing so, unChain St Kilda says, the mother Anna Griffiths, unChain St Kilda’s David Campbell, and Rachel Griffiths pressure to pay for renovations will be taken spokeswoman, have hit on the idea of herself, have promised their financial support, off the St Kilda triangle developers, Citta raising money to restore the theatre by selling unChain St Kilda reports. Promoter Paul Properties, obviating the need for around its 2700 seats at $5000 each. They led a Dainty has confirmed that the Rolling 180 shops, pubs and nightclubs in the * rally at the theatre on 28 December when Stones would add their support. A total of Twin icons: The Palais Theatre, St Kilda, with its neighbour, Luna Park. (Picture: Frank Van Straten) development and thereby reducing the need for an over-sized project to pay for it. Citta’s contentious proposal for the site has drawn strong criticism for its extent and form, earning it the epithet of Chadstone-by-the-Sea. ‘The Palais’ grandeur has worldwide appeal,’ Rachel Griffiths says. ‘We are not anti-development. We just want appropriate development, and we think a third of the existing plan is about right.’ She also urged the State Government to make a significant financial contribution. ‘I know schools and hospitals need funding, but this site is worthy of state investment. Federation Square is a great example of where government funds have created a public space that is loved and used by the people of Melbourne. ‘There is no good reason for the Rachel Griffiths launches unChain St Kilda’s Palais rescue program on 28 December 2007 (picture Government to continue its opposition to courtesy Serge Thomann). Right: Interior of the Palais Theatre, c.1930, little changed today. funding the Palais refurbishment, especially when it continues to underwrite the Grand Prix to the tune of $75 million,’ she said. Day’s argument is challenging. So is the 2 Funding for the Palais by the State reduced in size, in which case there would is the current intention. A competition for improvement to disabled access provisions Actors Guy Pearce, Magda Szubanski and figure of $20m that Citta says will be needed. Government. They have been asked, but be no hindrance to construction on the rest the design of the whole site could be held and other amenities. Jane Turner, and singers Paul Kelly, Kate No detailed budget has been released. Experts this source is considered unlikely, given the of the Triangle site proceeding immediately. before the land was sold so the intending n The Palais Theatre’s infrastructure will be purchaser would have confidence that Ceberano and Tim Rogers have signed a letter say that the Palais is not in bad shape, and current intransigence and funding priorities If this option were adopted, it is unChain St fully upgraded including new building development approval would follow without to Federal Minister for the Arts Peter Garrett, that the figure has been exaggerated. of the State Government. Kilda’s opinion that joint federal, state and services, structural remediation of degraded any adverse public reaction. urging him to intervene. Geoffrey Rush, UnChain St Kilda has asked the City of 3 Funding or part-funding by the private funding would be quite likely. elements and a new roof. This option would not require such Spencer McLaren, Renee Geyer and comedian Port Phillip council for clarification of Federal Government. An appeal has been This option would not require a new Ancillary facilities, such as back-of-house substantial excavation of the site, nor the Dave Hughes have added their support. several key points: made through Minister for the Arts, Peter tendering process. and VIP areas, function spaces, new toilets, need to encroach under the Upper Esplanade. The Palais Theatre, which for many n What is the tenancy agreement? To Garrett, as the Palais is on the Commonwealth 6 Sale of part of the Triangle site to fund As a result it would have a much shorter lift services and other supporting years has been an attractive and efficient whom does the revenue flow? Register of the National Estate. This source the Palais. An independent valuation of the time scale to completion. infrastructure will be provided in the new n site commissioned by unChain St Kilda major venue for everything from rock concerts What if the venture is unsuccessful? is also considered unlikely for political reasons, It would also probably require State adjoining development, with breakthrough to grand opera, has become the focus of Who pays? although part-funding could be possible in estimates the value of the land to be $1500 Government agreement and the end of the links into the Palais Theatre interior. This community protests at the proposed n Who is responsible for maintenance combination with private funding. to $2000 per square metre. The total area of current arrangement with BBC. strategy of supplementing the old with new redevelopment of the site. and associated costs? 4 Funding by private donors. This source the site is in the order of 39 000m2 metres will preserve the integrity of original fabric What Citta says On 25 May 2007 the State Government n Has there been an is considered possible. The restoration of the so excising 10 000 square metres or roughly while enabling the Palais Theatre to deliver and the City of Port Phillip announced that independent assessment supporting Regent Theatre was achieved by private a quarter of the site and selling it as freehold n Our priority is to strengthen and reinvigorate levels of comfort, safety, services and Citta Group in conjunction with Babcock Citta’s claim that refurbishment would funding so unChain St Kilda has set up the land would result in a gain of $20 million. the Palais Theatre for regular use as a 3000- performance capabilities to modern expectations. and Brown (BBC consortium) had won the cost $20m? Palais Foundation to explore this option. One This could be used to restore the Palais. An seat performance venue used primarily for n The proposed extensive refurbishment and rights to lease and redevelop the triangle The Palais is still accepting bookings. It million dollars has already been pledged. outline feasibility study by an experienced live performances and with an enhanced the associated new facilities represent a site and manage the Palais Theatre. is currently on a short term tenancy 5 Leaving the restoration of the Palais until developer suggests that one nightclub/music capacity for screening cinema. Additional substantial investment by our consortium in The full implications of the Citta plans between the City of Port Phillip and Citta, funds become available. This is considered venue (to replace the Palace) and a number flexibility will be incorporated allowing a the Palais Theatre. We are confident this variety of seating capacities down to a 350 were revealed when The Age architecture which has sublet it to a management group. a quite practical option — the reduced size of restaurants and bars would be a likely mix investment will ensure the long-term critic Norman Day pointed out that the cost of the development resulting from taking that would justify such a land price. If car seat cinema mode. The orchestra pit will be What unChain St Kilda sustainability of this priceless community asset. of refurbishing the theatre — said to be the Palais Theatre out of the development parking is considered necessary, it could be renovated to allow theatre productions in says: Search for the golden $20m — would have to come from intensive equation is then a realistic possibility. located in a basement. The balance of the addition to the current live music performances. chandelier retail development of the rest of the site. These are six options identified by unChain There is a strong heritage case that the site could be transformed into a landscaped n The refurbishment of the Palais Theatre Day suggested that as the Palais is a St Kilda for the future of the Palais Theatre: Palais should be left free-standing the way it garden for public recreation, with a children’s will retain the gritty ambience, style and The Executive Director of Heritage Victoria, character for which it is known most fondly. public venue on crown land, any costs 1 Restore the Palais as part of the Triangle has always been, without any buildings playground, a kiosk, along with space for Ray Tonkin, has announced that the search is Original heritage elements of the building’s associated with its refurbishment should development. This is not considered an ideal against the southern and western sides. This the Spiegeltent, the Cirque du Soleil, or some on for a number of fixtures, including the foyer fabric, lost over time, will be reinstated come from government sources. Relieving option as it has been amply demonstrated is reinforced by the Urban Design Framework similar entertainment on a regular basis.
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